Cooling station as a central hydraulic circuit and distribution system for sorption machines

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a distributor device that can be connected to a sorption machine and can be used with the sorption machine for the hydraulic and/or electric connection of different components. Said device comprises at least one pump (1) and components for driving, measuring, heat-exchanging, controlling and/or regulating a driving, recooling, heating and/or cooling circuit of the sorption machine.

The invention relates to a distributor device that can be connected to a sorption machine, wherein the distributor device has connections for the hydraulic and/or electrical connection of various components to the sorption machine, at least one pump and further components for driving, measuring, heat exchanging, controlling and or regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit of the sorption machine and is connected to the sorption machine by means of pipes, lines, hoses and/or cables.

In the prior art refrigerating machines comprising refrigerating plants are described, which in general serve to heat and/or cool buildings. Refrigerating machines implement thermodynamic cycles in which, e.g., heat is absorbed below ambient temperature and emitted at higher temperature. These cycles in refrigerating machines are essentially identical to the cycles in heat pumps. For this reason, refrigerating machines can also be regarded as heat pumps. Well-known refrigerating machines are, for example, sorption refrigeration systems (e.g., absorption refrigerators or adsorption refrigerators), diffusion-absorption refrigerating machines, or solid sorption heat pumps as well as compression refrigerators. The driving heat for desorption and the absorbed heat at low temperature level in refrigeration represent heat sources for sorption refrigerating machines. Both of these heat flows must leave the machines again in order to keep the sorption processes running. As a rule, this is accomplished by recooling the heat of condensation and adsorption heat into the environment.

An adsorpton refrigerator is composed of an adsorption/desorber unit, an evaporator, a condenser and/or a combined evaporator/condenser unit, which are accommodated in a common container or in separate containers, which then are connected to one another with pipes or the like for the refrigerant flow. The advantage of sorption machines compared to conventional heat pumps is that the sequence of the adsorption/desorption is carried out solely by the temperature control of the sorbent. The container of the adsorption machine can thus be closed in a hermetically and gas-tight manner. With the use of water, for example, as a refrigerant, the adsorption refrigerator preferably operates in the vacuum range.

The adsorption taking place in an adsorption machine describes a physical process in which a gaseous refrigerant (for example, water/water vapor) attaches to a solid, wherein during the attachment energy is transferred from the refrigerant to the solid. The desorption of the refrigerant, that is, the release of the refrigerant from the sold, in turn requires energy. In an adsorption refrigerator, the refrigerant, which absorbs heat at low temperature and low pressure and gives off heat at higher temperature and higher pressure, is selected such that a change of state is associated with the adsorption or desorption. As an adsorbent, in the prior art materials are described, which are fine-pored and consequently have a very large inner surface. Advantageous materials are activated carbon, zeolite, aluminum oxide or silica gel, aluminum phosphate, silica phosphate, aluminum phosphate, metal-silica aluminum phosphate, metostructured silicates, metallo-organic skeletons and/or microporous material, comprising microporous polymers.

In the process of the adsorption machine, the adsorption heat and the heat of condensation must be removed from the system. This generally takes place via a flowing heat transfer medium that transports this heat to a heat sink, e.g. to a recooling plant which emits the heat to the ambient air. However, if the adsorption heat and/or the heat of condensation is not emitted or is emitted poorly, the temperatures and thus the pressures inside the adsorption machine would rise and the adsorption process would come to a stop. Thus the efficiency of an adsorption machine can be considerably increased by an improved heat transfer, which inevitably also increases the cost-effectiveness of the system.

Preferably, three temperature levels are crucially important in sorption heat pumps: a) the temperature level of the heat source driving the desorption process, e.g. 80° C.; b) the temperature level of the actual refrigeration or of the heat to be absorbed by the sorption heat pump, e.g. 10° C., at this temperature level the evaporation of the refrigerant takes place, c) the temperature level of recooling or heat release into the environment, e.g. 40° C. At this temperature level, the heat of condensation and sorption heat produced in the sorption heat pump are dissipated into the environment and thus withdrawn from the sorption heat pump. Accordingly, three circuits are important for the operation of the sorption pump (sorption heat pump or sorption refrigeration pump): the refrigeration circuit, the recooling circuit and the drive circuit.

In the prior art different sorption machines are disclosed in which the heat transfer medium as a rule flows through a line with heat exchangers (adsorbers or condensers), hydraulic pipes, hydraulic components (e.g., valves). Thus DE 3207 435 A1 describes a control and regulating device for a sorption heat pump. The control and regulating device measures the temperature in the circuit of a consumer fluid and adjusts the volume flows depending on the temperature. The regulation of the flows is carried out via a three-way valve known in the prior art.

Sorption machines are often used as refrigeration plants in buildings. The assembly of a refrigeration plant requires the installation of refrigerator and further components, such as recoolers, space cooling fans and/or buffer reservoirs and the establishment of connections between these components, which also includes the installation of pumps, shut-off valves and control valve. Unfavorable cable layouts are often produced thereby, which cause high flow losses and a high pipeline material expenditure.

The correct design of a refrigerating plant is just as important as the design of the overall system of the refrigeration application, taking all of the individual components into consideration. In most cases, an adaptation of an operating concept to the requirements and wishes of the customers is necessary. Thus the incorporation and assembly of all individual components is crucial for an economical refrigeration supply. The cost-effectiveness is very important, since this is the only way of meeting the requirement for the functional and highest possible savings in terms of primary energy and costs. In particular with thermally driven sorption systems and refrigeration plants an optimal design and implementation must be ensured. Since the temperature spreads of all circuits are very small (2-6 K) and the system performance is very dependent on the volumetric flow rate/mass flow rate. The product of mass flow rate and temperature difference is equivalent to the rated capacity (see equation 1). The implementation according to design agreements can be simplified in that the system manufacturer has the option of directly supporting the user with a simple installation. The essential agreements are entered into between the user and the manufacturer in advance so that individual applications are planned in a performance-oriented manner and are implemented directly by the manufacturer.

The disadvantage hereby is that all systems and system components have been tested only under fixed and planned conditions. In practice the systems and components are usually installed differently than on the test bench. The hydraulic and electrical circuitry is thus one of the most frequent sources of errors in the practical application of heat engineering and refrigerating engineering systems. Most errors in the hydraulic and electrical circuitry cannot be ruled out despite intensive communication with customers and installers in the planning phase. In the case of thermally driven refrigeration applications, the temperature differences in the different circuits are very small. Very precise temperature values must be maintained for a certain drive power, recooling capacity and refrigerating capacity. As the last variable of equation 1 it is necessary to pay close attention to maintenance of the rated volumetric flow rates.

Q=m·c _(p)·(Δt _(m))  Equation 1

If the temperature difference of 2-6 K is changed by 1 K, this has an effect on the capacity by between 15 and 50 percent. If the temperature difference is correctly designed and the variable “volumetric flow rate” or “mass flow rate” is changed, this has just as great an influence on the capacity and efficiency of the refrigeration plant.

The object of the invention was therefore to provide a device that renders possible an optimal interconnection, an installation and an operation of a sorption machine, wherein the device does not have the disadvantages or defects of the prior art.

The object is attained by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are shown by the dependent claims.

It was very surprising that a compact distributor device for sorption machines can be provided, which does not have the disadvantages and defects of the prior art and which renders possible a simple and error-minimized installation of the sorption machine, wherein the distributor device comprises connections for the hydraulic and/or electrical interconnection of various components to a sorption machine and a housing and/or frame, wherein the device is arranged in or on the housing or frame and for an operation with the sorption machine is connected thereto by means of pipes, lines, hoses and/or cables and has at least one pump and further components for driving, pumping, heat exchanging, measuring, controlling and/or regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit of the sorption machine or has prepared the installation thereof.

It was very surprising that a device renders possible a central interconnection and supply of the various circuits that come from the sorption machine and lead into it. The distributor device can thus surprisingly also be used for the interconnection of hydraulic and/or electrical components, preferably connections of a sorption machine, preferably of an adsorption machine,

In particular, the device also relates to a compact distributor device, preferably for sorption machines, for a simple and error-minimized installation comprising connections for the hydraulic and/or electrical interconnection of various components to a sorption machine and a housing or frame, wherein the device is arranged in or on the housing or frame and in particular for an operation with the sorption machine can be connected by means of pipes, lines, hoses and/or cables and has means for driving, measuring, controlling and/or regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit of the sorption machine.

The invention preferably relates to a distributor device for sorption machines, comprising connections for the hydraulic and electrical interconnection of various components to a sorption machine and a housing and/or frame, wherein the device is arranged in or on the housing or frame and for an operation with the sorption machine is connected thereto by means of pipes, lines, hoses and or cables and has at least one pump and further components for driving, pumping, measuring, controlling and regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit or has prepared the installation thereof.

A circuit designed and installed in a hydraulically and electrically correct manner is the basis for a functional operating mode. In most cases this is established and implemented by the installer or by the customer himself, independently and without monitoring by others. Thus, e.g., pumps, mixers, valves, displays etc. are designed/sized, selected and installed by installers or planners who often are not aware of the effects of incorrectly designed and selected components. Moreover, conventional installers are technically overwhelmed by the design and consideration of the interaction of all installed components in the design and selection.

The device according to the invention renders possible a simple and quick installation of the sorption machine and a connection thereof to existing circuits (e.g., of an air-conditioning system) or lines. The distributor device can hereby already have at least one pump and further components for driving, pumping, measuring, controlling and/or regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit of the sorption machine, wherein the distributor device can also have holding fixtures for the installation of the at least one pump and further components for driving, pumping, measuring, controlling and/or regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit of the sorption machine. A holding fixture within the meaning of the invention can be in particular a device (e.g., retaining device, slot, module, plug-in, recess, etc.) which renders possible an attachment of a pump and components and which prepares the connections (e.g., electrical and/or hydraulic connections) necessary for the pump and components so that the pump and components can be functionally integrated easily and quickly into the distributor device and connected to the sorption machine.

It was very surprising that a device can be provided which in the shipping condition is not connected to a sorption machine, but can be connected thereto easily and renders possible an effective integration of the sorption machine into a refrigerating plant. That means that the distributor device according to the invention is not a component of a sorption machine, but is a separate device, which, however, advantageously can be integrated into the housing of the sorption machine. For this purpose, the distributor device advantageously already has all of the relevant connections for the hydraulic and/or electrical interconnection of the sorption machine to the refrigerating plant and has at least one pump. Within the meaning of the invention, a pump designates in particular machines with which fluids are conveyed. In particular liquids, liquid/solid mixtures, pastes and gases can be pumped. It was surprising that, in particular by an integration of a pump into the distributor device, a device can be provided that is purchased independently of the sorption machine but renders possible an integration thereof into a new or already existing refrigerating plant.

The invention also relates to a distributor device for sorption machines, comprising connections for the hydraulic and/or electrical interconnection of various components with a sorption machine and a housing and/or frame, wherein the device is arranged in or on the housing or frame and in particular for an operation with the sorption machine is, in particular will be, connected thereto by means of pipes, lines, hoses and/or cables, and at least one pump and further components for driving, pumping, measuring, controlling and/or regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit of the sorption machine or preferably has prepared the installation thereof.

The circuits preferably comprise the recooling circuit, the refrigeration circuit and the drive circuit, which are connected via the device to a consumer, for example. Within the meaning of the invention, the consumer can be in particular a room to be cooled or to be heated or a recooling device. The assembly of the different circuits in a central device that carries out the measuring, driving, controlling and/or regulating of the circuits has numerous advantages over the prior art. The capacity of the sorption machine, which within the meaning of the invention in particular is an adsorption machine or an absorption machine, can be controlled easily and quickly via the device according to the invention. For this purpose, the device also has electrical or electronic components, which display to a user, for example, information on the mode of operation, the efficiency or the heating capacity/refrigerating capacity of the machine. Moreover, further components comprising pumps, volumetric flow rate displays, temperature displays, expansion tanks, safety devices, filling and emptying devices and similar components are integrated into the device. A simple control and monitoring of the sorption machine with respect to a desired capacity is hereby possible. It is preferred that volumetric flow rate displays, temperature displays and/or pressure displays and/or further components, in particular heat exchangers, expansion tanks safety devices, filling and emptying devices and similar components and/or connections therefor are integrated into the distributor device.

The user can make changes to the actual capacity, the capacity currently produced, depending on a desired capacity, i.e., a capacity that is to be produced by the machine. For this purpose, the user can draw on the device according to the invention and, using it, can change the settings of the sorption machine. Displays are integrated into the device, which inform the user of the current mode of operation of the sorption machine. Moreover, pumps, valves etc. are integrated into the device, which make it possible for the user to change the actual capacity.

Advantageously, at least one pipe, line and/or hose coming from the sorption machine, originating from a circuit of the sorption machine, comprising recooling circuit, refrigeration circuit and/or drive circuit, is connected to the distributor device for an operation with the sorption machine. The distributor device has connections that are connected to the corresponding pipes, lines and/or hoses via means known to a person skilled in the art (e.g., weld fittings, threaded fittings, flanges, fittings, pipe couplings or screw joints).

It is furthermore preferred that the pipes, lines or hoses are composed of metal, plastic, plastic-elastic solids and/or ceramic materials. Preferred variants comprise steel, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, brass, nickel alloys, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, plastic, combinations of plastic and metal (composite pipe) combinations of glass and metal (enamel) or ceramic. Several pipes can be connected to one another in a positive or non-positive manner. Non-positive connections comprise locking rings, moldings, curved pipe pieces, screws or rivets. Closures by adhesive force comprise adhesion, welding, soldering, pressing, cold welding or vulcanizing. Copper or aluminum can preferably be used as material for the pipes, wherein the use of stainless steel can also be advantageous, since it has high static and dynamic strength values. Pipes of plastic, comprising polyvinyl chloride, are particularly light and flexible and can thus reduce the weight. Ceramic materials, comprising structural ceramic materials, have a high stability and long service life. Combinations of the listed materials are particularly advantageous, since different material properties can thus be combined. It can also be preferred to make in particular the hoses of plastic-elastic solid materials, in particular rubber.

The distributor device is preferably connected to the recooling circuit, the refrigeration circuit, the drive circuit and the sorption machine and can also be referred to in particular as a cooling station within the meaning of the invention.

It is preferred that at least one measuring and/or regulating device is installed in the sorption machine and in particular is present brought into contact with at least one of the circuits. The measuring and/or regulating device measures in particular physical properties of a volumetric flow or temperature, pressure and/or flow rate. A volumetric flow is understood by a person skilled in the art in particular to be the volume of a medium (e.g., refrigerant or heat transfer medium), which moves within a time unit through a cross section in particular of a pipe or a piping length. Consequently, the total volumetric flow above all comprises the totality of the volumetric flows preferably in one machine.

The measuring and/or regulating device is advantageously attached to at least one pipe such that, for example, a measuring probe is present in the pipe and is in contact with the fluid flowing through the pipe. The measured variables are digitalized and sent as data preferably to the distributor device or a control device, whereby an optimization of the sorption machine is possible. Advantageously, it is also possible to store the measured data and to draw upon them for comparison tests.

It can be preferred that the measured data—the so-called actual values—are compared to stipulated desired values and any difference means that the regulating device is adjusted via the distributor device such that preferably the nominal pipe size or the cross section of the free flow, the pressure and/or the temperature is varied. A continuous and essentially disturbance-free operation of the machine is thus possible. Moreover, the machine can be adapted quickly and easily to different modes of operation. For this, the desired values preferably correspond to values that define a certain mode of operation.

The device preferably comprises electrical parts or components for measuring, controlling and/or regulating and at least one pump. The electrical or electronic components preferably comprise apparatuses or instruments, which in particular render possible a regulation and/or control of temperature, pressure, flow, quantity, fill level, speed or concentration. Through the device according to the invention, it is moreover surprisingly possible to keep the essentially changeable values (such as temperature or pressure) occurring in the sorption machine constant (or changeable in a targeted manner), that is, to equalize disturbances.

An early and comprehensive avoidance of interconnection errors is possible, whereby a constant and lossless operation of the machine is ensured. The device is hydraulically and/or electrically preassembled so that no time needs to be spent on ordering and selecting the individual components. Moreover, the installation time of the machine can be considerably reduced. The device can be easily connected to a refrigerating machine e.g., a sorption machine. For the electrical interconnection preferably a control element is integrated into the device, wherein clamping strips of the sorption machine and control element are preferably numbered the same, so that connection errors can be avoided.

Advantageously, the mode of operation and the operating points of the sorption machine connected to the device can be changed by means of the distributor device. This can be carried out, for example, by a change of a volumetric flow, the pressure or the temperature.

The person skilled in the art knows that operating points can designate certain points in the family of characteristics or the characteristic curve of a technical device, preferably a sorption machine, particularly preferably an adsorption refrigerating machine or an adsorption heat pump, which are taken based on system properties and acting outside influences and parameters. Examples of this are the temperatures of the heat sinks and heat sources or total volume flows in the recooling circuit, in the evaporator or desorber line.

Within the meaning of the invention, the mode of operation preferably designates the manner of the operating control of the machine, Examples of this are the adaptation of the cycle times of the sorption machine, that is, the capacity of the machine can be increased by short cycle times, whereas longer cycle times lead to a higher efficiency.

Within the meaning of the invention, a recooler or a recooling device designates in particular a device for cooling preferably the heat transfer fluid, that is, to dissipate the absorbed energy into a different fluid or medium. The heat transfer fluid is fed back to the recooler via the recooling circuit. A recooler can comprise for example an air heat exchanger, a geothermal heat exchanger, a swimming pool, a fountain or another device for cooling or for absorbing thermal energy. The volume flow flowing through the machine is preferably a heat transfer fluid, that is, a fluid that can absorb and emit energy in the form of heat. Preferred heat transfer fluids comprise water or brine. These are particularly environmentally friendly and reasonable to purchase. Moreover, the flow properties of water and brine are optimal for a sorption machine. Furthermore, both designate a large heat accumulator, wherein the heat likewise can be quickly dissipated again.

The refrigeration circuit designates within the meaning of the invention in particular the circuit in which the refrigeration produced by the sorption machine is guided to the consumer to be cooled. For instance room-cooling units, such as cooling fans are connected to the sorption machine via this circuit.

In particular heat sources comprising solar systems, gas burners, combined heat and power plants, district heating lines and buffer reservoirs are connected to the sorption machine with the drive circuit. The sorption machine is hereby supplied preferably with the required heat for operation.

It is preferred that at least one mixer is integrated in the distributor device. A mixer within the meaning of the invention is in particular a valve that is composed of at least two pipes and renders possible the mixture of at least two liquids or gases. A mixer is also known to a person skilled in the art under the terms mixer valve, three-way cock and three-way mixer, which are used synonymously within the meaning of the invention. The mixer renders possible e.g. the mixing of a cold medium with a hot medium, whereby an adjustment of a defined temperature is possible. It is thus possible, for example, to adjust a desired temperature of the recooling circuit, refrigerating circuit and/or drive circuit, wherein the adjustment is achieved via electrical and or hydraulic components of the distributor device.

Advantageously, at least one valve, comprising stop cock, line regulating valve, three-way valve or multiway valve and/or safety valve, is integrated into the distributor device. Advantageously, different valves that can be grouped according to their geometric shape, can be integrated into pipes, for example. Moreover, valves comprising straight-way valves, angle valves, Y-valves and/or three-way valves can hereby be used. Through the use of the valves the flow volumes in the pipelines can be metered exactly and precisely as well as securely sealed against the environment. The valves can be actuated advantageously by hand, by medium, mechanically or electromagnetically and thus render possible an exact and safe regulation of the volume flows. It was very surprising that the integration of at least one valve into the distributor device renders possible a quick and efficient regulation of the sorption machine, wherein the valves can also be regulated and programmed automatically.

The housing or the frame of the distributor device is preferably produced from a material comprising metal or plastic. A space-saving, clearly organized and well designed distributor device installed in a robust metal housing can hereby be provided. Moreover, a optimal strength of the housing or the frame as well as an optimal stability can be achieved. Preferred variants hereby comprise steel, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, brass, nickel alloys, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, combinations of plastic and metal (composite pipe), combinations of glass and metal (enamel) or ceramic. Ceramic materials, comprising structural ceramic materials, have a high stability and a long service life. Moreover, weight can be saved by this advantageous variant. The housing or the frame can preferably be attached on a horizontal or vertical plane or a stand and either ground-mounted, wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted or installed on other components. Advantageously, an operating and/or display device and/or connections for the hydraulic and/or electrical components are arranged on or in the housing. As operating device preferably knobs, switches, levers or also all kinds of displays and keys can be integrated.

It can also be preferred that the distributor device is integrated into a housing of the sorption machine and/or is connected thereto. It was very surprising that the device can also be integrated into a sorption machine. The distributor device can hereby be installed in the housing of the sorption machine or can be connected to the housing or the frame of the sorption machine.

It is also preferred that there are connections between lines of the circuits and that fluid flows and energy flows between the lines exist or can be exchanged. The person skilled in the art knows that lines comprise pipes, leads or hoses. The connection can be established in the form of valves, whereby the fluid flowing through the lines can flow from one circuit into another. That means it can be preferred that the recooling circuit is connected to the refrigerating circuit or the drive circuit, wherein any connection of the circuits can be produced. Surprisingly, a free refrigeration and/or a thermal frost protection can be achieved hereby. Also advantageously a shift between the lines can take place and the connected components connected to different circuits of the sorption machine comprising drive circuit, recooling circuit and/or refrigerating circuit connected with the sorption machine. That is, the connected components can be used differently with the sorption machine, whereby a shifting e.g. between refrigeration utilization and heat utilization is possible.

It can also be preferred that a line regulating valve is integrated into the distributor device. Within the meaning of the invention a line regulating valve is in particular a flow restrictor. It can also be preferred to integrate line regulating valves or shut-off valves with bypass flow meter.

Furthermore, it is preferred that connections are created between the lead lines which preferably render possible a free cooling and/or thermal frost protection or other fluid and energy flows between the lines. The lead lines within the meaning of the invention designate the lines of the work circuit, recooling circuit, heating circuit and/or refrigerating circuit.

It can be preferred that a shift between the lead lines can take place and the connected components are connected differently with the sorption machine in order, e.g., to change between refrigeration utilization and heat utilization.

The following advantages can be achieved by means of the distributor device:

-   -   Coordinated pumps, mixers, volumetric flow displays and         connections expertly selected and sized in a manner fitted to         the sorption machine,     -   Hydraulically preassembled (saves installation time, saves time         for ordering and selecting the individual components),     -   Electrically preassembled (saves installation time, saves time         for ordering and selecting the individual components),     -   Specific motor protection,     -   Simple connection of the sorption machine or refrigerating         machine and control element, since the clamping strips are         numbered the same,     -   The most frequent errors in the design, implementation and         function of hydraulic and electrical system engineering are         avoided by the cooling station,     -   Space-saving, clearly arranged and well designed installed in a         robust metal housing,     -   Preassembled in a power plug-ready manner,     -   A plurality of hydraulically and (control engineering) technical         variants can be integrated into the device,     -   For refrigeration applications which are in use all year round,         a variant for free refrigeration can be installed as well into         the device,     -   For refrigeration applications that support the heating in         winter (heat pump operation), a variant for heating supply can         also be installed in the device.     -   Refrigerating circuit pumps, recooling circuit pumps and drive         circuit pumps can be integrated into the device,     -   Volumetric flow displays or line regulating valves can be         integrated into the device,     -   Stop cocks can be integrated into the device,     -   Expansion tanks, filling and emptying devices, safety vales,         pressure displays etc. or connections for them can be integrated         into the device,     -   Development of a distributor device specially for thermally         driven refrigerating machines as distributor and collector,     -   Attachment of the hydraulic and electrical components in a         housing for simplified installation and maintenance,     -   The installation can also be carried out in a housing, on a         frame work, a metal wall or an installation rail,     -   The connections for the installer can be attached outside on the         housing or in the interior of the device,     -   The device can contain different components in a need-oriented         manner as long as their function as collection point of the         connection circuits to the sorption machine or refrigeration         plant is maintained or     -   The cooling station can advantageously contain solely the         hydraulic components, if the electrical regulation/control is         carried out elsewhere.

Further advantages of the distributor device according to the invention are: reduction of cost, simplification, savings in time, material, work steps, cost or raw materials difficult to obtain, increased reliability, elimination of errors, increase in quality, maintenance free, greater effectiveness, higher yield, increase in technical options, opening up of a new field, first solution of a problem, possibility of rationalization and/or miniaturization.

The invention is now described by way of example based on figures, without being restricted thereto, they show:

FIG. 1 diagrammatic representation of a distributor device

FIG. 2 interconnection of a preferred distributor device

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a distributor device. In the distributor device, for example, three pumps 1, a mixer 2 (e.g., three-way mixer), six pump valves, four shut-off ball valves 4 and 3 flow restrictors 5 are installed or the connections for them are provided. Moreover electrical connections or components can be installed, in the preferred distributor device, which, for example, have a protective motor switch (not shown), a relay (not shown) fuses (not shown) and a clamping strip (not shown) with the same numbering as the clamping strip on a refrigeration system.

FIG. 2 shows an interconnection of a preferred distributor device. The distributor device 10 can have electrical and/or hydraulic connections and be connected to a refrigerating machine 9, preferably a sorption machine, particularly preferably an adsorption refrigeration machine. The distributor device is hereby connected to a recooling circuit 7, a drive circuit 8 and a refrigerating circuit 6, wherein the distributor device is preferably completely preassembled, wired and connection-ready. The distributor device preferably comprises connections for the hydraulic and/or electrical interconnection of various components to a refrigeration machine, preferably a sorption machine, and a housing and/or frame, wherein the device is arranged in or on the housing or frame and for an operation with the sorption machine is connected thereto by means of pipes, lines, hoses and/or cables and has at least one pump and further components for driving, pumping, heat exchanging, measuring, controlling and or regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit of the sorption machine or has prepared the installation thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 Pumps -   2 Mixer -   3 Pump valves -   4 Shut-off ball valves -   5 Flow restrictor -   6 Refrigeration circuit -   7 Recooling circuit -   8 Drive circuit -   9 Refrigerating machine -   10 Distributor device 

1. A distributor device for sorption machines, comprising: connections for a hydraulic and/or electrical connection of various components to a sorption machine and a housing and/or frame, wherein the device is arranged in or on the housing or frame and for an operation with the sorption machine is connected thereto via pipes, lines, hoses and/or cables, and has at least one pump and further components for driving, pumping, heat-exchanging, measuring, controlling and/or regulating a drive circuit, recooling circuit, heat circuit and/or refrigeration circuit of the sorption machine or is prepared for a installation thereof.
 2. The distributor device according to claim 1, wherein at least one mixer is integrated into the distributor device.
 3. The distributor device according to claim 1, wherein at least one pipe, line and/or hose coming from the sorption machine, originating from a circuit of the sorption machine, comprising the recooling circuit, the refrigeration circuit and/or the drive circuit, is connected to the distributor device for an operation with the sorption machine.
 4. The distributor device according to claim 1, wherein components comprise pumps, volumetric flow rate displays, temperature displays, expansion tanks, safety devices, filling and emptying devices and similar components.
 5. The distributor device according to claim 1, wherein at least one valve comprising stop cock, line regulating valve, three-way valve or multiway valve and/or safety valve, is integrated into the distributor device.
 6. The distributor device according to claim 1, wherein the housing or the frame is produced from a material comprising metal or plastic.
 7. The distributor device according to claim 1, wherein the housing or the frame is attached on a horizontal or vertical plane or a stand and is either ground-mounted, wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted or installed on other components.
 8. The distributor device according to claim 1, wherein an operating and/or display device and/or connections for the-hydraulic and/or electrical components are arranged on the housing.
 9. The distributor device according to claim 1, wherein the distributor device is integrated into a housing of the sorption machine and/or is connected thereto.
 10. A method for interconnecting hydraulic and/or electrical components with a sorption machine comprising: providing the distributor device according to claim 1 and interconnecting hydraulic and/or electrical components with the sorption machine.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein there is a connection between lines of the circuits and fluid flows and energy flows between the lines exist or can be exchanged.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a shift between the lines can take place and connected components, with different circuits of the sorption machine comprising the drive circuit, recooling circuit and/or refrigerating circuit, are connected to the sorption machine. 